The Miami Marlins' spending spree a year ago didn't work, so now they're trying another payroll purge, shedding some of their biggest stars and their multimillion-dollar salaries in one blockbuster deal.

Rebranded in a new ballpark at the start of 2012, the Marlins were up to their old ways Tuesday, swapping high-priced talent for top prospects. Miami traded All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes, left-hander Mark Buehrle and ace right-hander Josh Johnson to the Toronto Blue Jays, a person familiar with the agreement said.

The person confirmed the trade on condition of anonymity because the teams weren't officially commenting. The person said the trade sent several of the Blue Jays' best young players to Miami.

The stunning agreement came less than a year after the Marlins added Reyes, Buehrle and closer Heath Bell in an uncharacteristic $191 million spending binge as they moved into a new ballpark. The acquisitions raised high hopes, but the Marlins instead finished last in the National League East.

The latest paring of salary actually began in July, when the Marlins parted with former NL batting champion Hanley Ramirez, second baseman Omar Infante and right-hander Anibal Sanchez, among others. Bell, the team's high-profile bust, was traded to Arizona last month.

Under owner Jeffrey Loria, long the target of fan acrimony, the Marlins have usually been among baseball's thriftiest teams. Management pledged that would change with the new ballpark, but team officials were disappointed with attendance in 2012, and revenue fell far short of their projections.

Even so, the blockbuster deal came as a shock. The players involved must undergo physicals before the trade becomes final.

Stanton said he was mad about the trade "Plain & Simple," he tweeted shortly after the news broke.

The housecleaning was also the subject of much mirth on Twitter.

"Good trade, I think we won it," tweeted FakeSamson, a site that mocks Marlins president David Samson.

Toronto star Jose Bautista had a different interpretation.

"Its a good day to be a bluejay!" he tweeted.

The swap was easier for the Marlins to swing because of their longstanding policy of refusing to include no-trade clauses in contracts.

The deal gave an immediate boost to the Blue Jays, who have not reached the playoffs since winning their second consecutive World Series in 1993. Toronto went 73-89 this season and finished fourth in the American League East for the fourth straight year, again falling short in a division that includes big spenders.

The Marlins changed their name a year ago but failed to change their losing ways, and instead of contending for a playoff berth, they finished 69-93, their worst record since 1999.

Melvin, Johnson honored

Davey Johnson of the Washington Nationals, and Bob Melvin of the Oakland Athletics were chosen as managers of the year after guiding their teams to huge turnaround seasons.

Melvin beat out Baltimore's Buck Showalter for the American League honor in a close vote by a Baseball Writers' Association of America panel. Under Melvin, the A's made a 20-game improvement, finished 94-68 and won the ALWest. Melvin got 16 first-place votes. Showalter got the other 12 firsts.

Johnson was an easy choice for the National League prize after the Nationals - who had never enjoyed a winning year - posted the best record in the majors and made their first playoff appearance. Johnson received 23 of the 32 first-place votes.

Also ...

The Chicago Cubs agreed to a one-year contract with former Minnesota pitcher Scott Baker that guarantees him $5.5 million next season. Baker underwent Tommy John ligament replacement surgery April 17 and missed last season. ... Philadelphia agreed to an $850,000, one-year contract with third baseman Kevin Frandsen, who hit .338 in 55games last season. ... St. Louis released veteran reliever Kyle McClellan, who appeared in just 16games in 2012 because of elbow and shoulder problems. ... New Colorado manager Walt Weiss talked fellow former Rockies player Dante Bichette into joining him as the team's hitting instructor.